You’ve gone through the hard work of choosing the perfect window treatment for your home. But before you get to the fun part — enjoying your beautiful new window coverings — you need to install them.
Read on for window treatment installation tips from our expert team here at Portland Window Coverings.
Make sure to measure your window correctly
It might seem easy, but there’s actually a lot that goes into correctly measuring a window for a window covering.
The best advice we have on measuring your windows correctly for your coverings is to work with a professional. Whether you’re installing curtains, blackout shades, or smart blinds, every window is different. Our designers here at Portland Window Coverings are skilled at measuring and sizing for the perfect fit.
If you decide to move forward with measuring on your own, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Measuring for inside mount coverings
These window treatments fit on the inside of your window frame and provide a clean, classic look. They are a great way to show off your window frames and overall take up less space. Before installing inside mount window coverings, make sure to measure:
- The depth of the window frame
- The width and length of your window
When measuring for the width of your window, we recommend taking three measurements — the top, middle, and bottom of the window. Then choose the narrowest of these three widths. For the length, do the same thing, but choose the longest of the three measurements.
Measuring for outside mount coverings
Perhaps you decided on blackout shades for your bedroom. Or maybe you’re adding some woven wood shades to your doors. These are both great uses for outside mount window coverings. When window coverings are outside mounted, it means they are installed on the outside of the window frame. They are a great option for windows that aren’t very deep, to hide trim you don’t want to show, or to provide a true blackout option.
Because they are placed above your window trim, outside mounted coverings can help make your windows appear larger and keep fully raised blinds from blocking a large portion of the window.
To measure for outside mount window coverings:
- Measure the width of the area over the window you’d like to have covered. It’s a good idea to add at least 1-2 inches to the width on either side of the window frame.
- Choose where the headrail will go above the window frame.
- Measure the length from the top of the headrail to how far down you would like the window coverings to go.
Measuring for curtains
If you’ve opted for curtains, the first step is to choose where your curtain rod will go. If you choose an outside mount, a good rule of thumb is to make sure your curtain rod extends 3-6 inches past your window frame on either side.
Once this is complete, you’ll want to measure:
- Width and height of the window
- Width and height of the curtains
When identifying the correct width for your curtain, choose curtains that are at least twice as wide as your window. This will ensure the curtains fully cover your window.
One common mistake when ordering curtains is forgetting to check the quantity of panels you will be receiving. Make sure to confirm whether or not your curtains come as a pair or as a single panel.
Regardless of the type of window covering you chose, make sure you measure everything at least twice! This will help you avoid installing the window covering incorrectly (and adding an unnecessary drill hole to your wall or window).
Prepare your tools beforehand
We all know the excitement of finally receiving a long-awaited delivery. But once your window treatments have arrived, will you be ready to put them up right away? Make sure to have your tools and hardware prepared so you’ll be ready to go. A few good items to have on hand for your window covering installation include:
- Drill
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Ladder or step stool
- Drywall anchors (if not drilling directly into a stud)
- Stud finder (if needed)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
If you chose curtains as your window covering, make sure you’ve purchased a curtain rod, as well as the hardware, finials, and any grommets or curtain rings required to install it.
Read the instructions
It’s not rocket science, but it can feel like rocket science. So give yourself a leg up and read the instructions before you start installing anything. Lay out everything in front of you to make sure you have all of the pieces you need. Then, read through the step-by-step process from the manufacturer. This will cut down on the amount of time it takes for you to install your window covering, plus it ensures you know the proper order to install everything.
Make small windows look bigger
If you have small windows in your home, there are a few easy tricks to make your windows appear larger.
Tip #1: To make narrow windows appear wider, extend your curtain rod further
If you’re working with a window that is narrower than you’d like, you can simply extend your curtain rod to make it look wider. By extending your curtain rod 6-10 inches out on either side, you are forcing curtains or drapes to fill that space on the wall next to the window. This makes it hard to tell where the window really ends and tricks the eye into thinking the window is wider than it is.
Tip #2: Raise your curtain rods higher to make windows seem taller
Similar to the above trick, you can make your windows seem taller by raising your curtain rods higher. For this effect, place your curtain rod about two inches below your ceiling or ceiling molding and try floor-length curtains to complete the look.
Tip #3: Use layers
Layering window treatments is not only functional, it’s fashionable, too. Layering curtains over the top of blinds or other curtains can be an easy way to increase privacy and add color and depth to your space. This takes the attention off of how small the window is to focus on how stylish it is.
Ask for help from the experts
Correctly installing window treatments is a lot of work — and it can cost you a lot of time, money, and energy if you do it incorrectly. When you want it done right, you’re always better off getting help from a professional.
Our expert team at Portland Window Coverings is here to help. First things first, we’ll help you take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect window coverings for your home. Our interior designers have over 25 years of experience working with homeowners throughout the Portland area. You’ll love our attention to detail, professionalism, and dedication to your satisfaction.
Best of all, when you purchase with us, installation is always included. We measure twice and cut once to ensure the absolute best fit available.
We’re ready to help
Contact us today to set up your virtual appointment, in-person consult. Or visit our Tigard showroom. We look forward to working with you!